this post was submitted on 02 May 2024
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Yes, it’s only elitists that say otherwise but we can disregard them
No. It's technically Linux, but has none of the benefits that are suppose to come with Linux.
Which are?
I really want to know! I am using both but wouldn't call me an expert. There is still much to learn.
The benefits are the open source Kernel that both have
Free software. Try to use apt on Android, or run software that you can use on a desktop. And no ads in every app.
Root access, that is, being admim of your own device.
Being able to access the file system and support for different types. For example Android doesn't support NTFS and needs FAT. Plugging a simple USB drive has mixed results.
This is from the top of my head. I use both but I really don't like how Android is locked down and so limited, even for power users. I really wish I could have a real "pocket computer" instead of this thing that feeds me ads.
With Termux one can
Don't use apps with ads then? Or set up an ad blocker.
That's just how most Android versions are shipped. It's still technically possible to get root access, and really enjoy every privilege of Linux. Not all devices allow using a custom OS though, sadly
Setting up an ad blocker for a whole device often requires root. I gave up with my new phone and just have ublock origin on Firefox but that's the point. I can't easily install something that will modify the DNS because I have no admin access on my phone.
That's why I also do give up on certain apps. For example I don't like the ads in Boost so I stopped using it. Sometimes I pay for the version of an app without ads. This doesn't happen on Linux.
Also being heavily pushed towards apps for websites like YouTube, Twitter, Reddit, Facebook... Lemmy, Mastodon... They are all "best experienced" in apps, and most of them will probably try to push you ads or make you pay.
Again, I'm relatively tech savvy so I can find other ways, but it's still annoying and disappointing to have to constantly find ways around the system. It doesn't happen in Linux.
Android is the enshittification of Linux.
That has nothing to do with the operating system. Just use Firefox, set it to show you the desktop version of the websites, and you'll have the same experience as on a desktop PC.
Except with a smaller screen size.
Private DNS since Android 9 can do that without root access afaik, like with AdGuard's public service
I just use the AdGuard app. It runs all my Internet traffic through an on-device VPN server (The VPN is the phone itself.), and it uses that to filter out all the ads.
Like ability to install different desktop enviroment?
I have a phone with PostmarketOS installed and, besides being immature for now, the difference in possibilities are night and day.
Almost all apps store settings in easy to backup
.configfolder. I can really script things using cron jobs and plain bash. Develop apps with any programming language without stupid SDK. Carry portable Minecraft of Factorio server for LAN parties. Use literally the exact same apps on both phone and desktop without ports and having their data synced. I can talk for hours.Technically, with root access, yeah. It's just that Android's UI isn't a DE/WM in the desktop Linux sense
And same for Android app data with root access.
/datacontains, well, data of apps and the general system. Sure, it's not the same as on desktop Linux, but it's still possible to modify, copy, delete with root access. Every app is a different Linux user on Android, and that's also just different from desktop Linux.To me, you're just pointing out differences due to the software architecture of both OSes.
You can also just install different apps that change the home screen. Android calls them "launchers". You can install one from the Google Play Store or elsewhere like any other app. Then just set it up. Once it's setup, the phone simply loads that app's launcher instead of the phone's default launcher (which is usually also an app).
Yeah but for e.g. the notification and quick panel, you need to modify the System UI app. It's like everything below the top panel in GNOME is replaceable lol
You think compiling a binary with a different toolchain and system paths is the same as exploiting a made up security vulnerability linked to a game for some reason. I'm done wasting my time here.
/system/bin/uname -sprintsLinux, that's enough.Being able to practially develop anything without running Google's proprietary build of Android SDK can be enough for devs to see the difference.
It might be very similar on the surface, for casual person installing app from appstore. But the whole ecosystem above the Linux kernel and below app interface is barely comparable. No Flatpak, Wayland, SystemD, glibc, PipeWire, etc.
The way apps are build, most of the times does not matter what kernel is at the bottom. What matters are toolings and the ecosystem.
Android could be build on Windows NT and most won't notice (remember Windows Phone? Not looking at UI/UX design, it felt really similar), yet we wouldn't call Android as being the same as Windows.
Consider how dead-easy it is to write a bash script or c program in Linux, and then enable it (have it run on boot) using SystemD daemons. A total noob could do it after reading a 5 minute tutorial.
Is it even possible to do the same on an android phone? I have no idea, but willing to bet not.